© 2015 albert-learning.com use of prefer and rather use of prefer & rather

© 2015 albert-learning.com

Use of Prefer and Rather

Use of Prefer & Rather



RULES FOR USING “PREFER TO “(do)

• I don't like cities. I prefer to live in the country OR I prefer living in the country.

Let’s study the differences in structure after prefer.

We say:

• I prefer something to something else.

E.g.: I prefer this coat to the coat you were wearing yesterday.

• I prefer to do something rather than (do) something else.

E.g.: I prefer driving to traveling by train.

• I prefer doing something to doing something else. . E.g.: Ann prefers to live in the country than to live in a city.



RULES FOR USING ‘ Would prefer (I'd prefer...)’

We use:

• "would prefer" to say what somebody wants in a particular situation .

E.g.: Would you prefer tea or coffee.

• "would prefer to do" (not "doing"):

E.g.: "Shall we go by train?" "Well, I'd prefer to go by car. (not "I'd prefer going")

E.g.: I'd prefer to stay at home tonight rather than go to the cinema.



RULES FOR USING ‘ Would rather (I'd rather...)’

• Would rather (do) = would prefer (to do).

Compare:

E.g.: "Shall we go by train?“ "I'd prefer to go by car.“ "I'd rather go by car. (not to go)

E.g.: "Would you rather have tea or coffee“

• The negative is "I'd rather not (do something)":

E.g.: I'm tired. I'd rather not go out this evening, if you don't mind.

E.g.: "Do you want to go out this evening" "I'd rather not.“

• I'd rather do something than (do)something else

E.g.: I'd rather stay at home tonight than go to the cinema. OR E.g.: I prefer to drive rather than travel by train.



1. I ___________________ coffee to tea.

2. I don't fancy the theatre again. I'd __________________ go to the

cinema.

3 .Although I love relaxing on beaches, I think I _____________ walking

in the mountains.

4 .I'd____________ speak to him in person than discuss things over the

phone.

Let us solve…………………



5 .I_____________ trains to cars.

6. I'm not a big fan of cars, I ______________ travelling by train.

7 .If I had a choice I think I'd ___________________ live in Paris than

London .

8 .They'd ___________ have lunch inside but I'd ____________to eat

outside in the garden.



Alex:Would you rather stay home and cook dinner or go out?

Betty: I'd rather go out. I am pretty tired today, so I don't want to cook. What about you? Would you rather stay in or go out?

Alex: I would prefer to stay in, but we can go out if you would like.

Betty: That would be nice. What type of restaurant would you like to go to?

Take a look at this conversation to see some examples of would rather and would prefer:



Alex: I'd prefer to go somewhere quiet.

Betty: Really? Not me. I would rather go somewhere fun, maybe even with some live music.

Alex: But I thought you were tired?

Betty: I am, but not too tired to have some fun.

Alex: Well, I'd prefer not to, but…..OK.



1.They would__________ to meet on Monday than Tuesday.

2. He would ___________ to take a Yoga class.

3. Would you_________ go to an Italian or a Japanese restaurant?

4. Dennis would _____________ to spend his money at the mall.

5. I would ___________ to drive the jeep.




6. Would you ________ to bring a salad or dessert to the dinner party?

7. I'd_________________ stay at a different hotel.

8. We would_________________ sing a slower song.

9. Would he _______________ to dance to a different song?

10. She'd _______________ hear another song.


© 2015 albert-learning.com use of prefer and rather use of prefer & rather

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